Nvidia SHIELD tablets recalled due to fire hazard

Graphics and visual computing chip maker Nvidia has announced a voluntary recall of its SHIELD 8-inch tablets that were sold between July 2014 and July 2015. The reason behind the recall is that the battery used by these devices is a potential fire hazard.

Nvidia launched the SHIELD Tablet about a year ago. HEXUS reviewed the device, which was put forward as 'the first true gaming tablet', on the date that it became available in the US. Most people in Europe had to wait until mid-August for the official release.

The Nvidia SHIELD tablet pairs its powerful Tegra K1 SoC with an 8-inch full HD IPS panel. These components are packed into a 9.2mm thick Android slate which weighs in at under 400g. In our review we looked carefully at the cooling/heat generated by the SHIELD in use and found that "the soft-touch back became no more than warm during gaming sessions." Nvidia had carefully designed its SoC and chassis and claimed the SHIELD was engineered to be 'up to 2x more efficient at cooling than other tablets on the market today.' However despite its care in designing its own components it looks like Nvidia has simply been dragged down by a dodgy Li-ion battery component.

There are no details given by Nvidia about any circumstances under which the fire hazard posed by its SHIELD tablet may materialise. Also we don't have any reports about people who have been affected by the hazard. Owners are told to "stop using the recalled tablet, except as needed to participate in the recall and back up data".

The Nvidia SHIELD tablet recall website http://tabletrecall.expertproductinquiry.com/ allows owners to start their recall process. First of all owners have to make sure they are updated to the latest software (see image below). Then, in settings > about > status, determine if your SHIELD tablet has a Y01 or B01 battery type. Only those with a Y01 battery need to get a replacement tablet, by following the instructions on the website. Nvidia says that "Consumers will receive a replacement tablet after registering to participate in the recall."

If the tablet isn't working and/or you can't claim online for some reason you can call one of the numbers below:

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I just did mine 20 mins ago and have to say the returns process is refreshingly simple, it takes a few weeks to get your new tablet but you can keep your current one until the new one arrives.And i'm kind of glad this recall has happened as the touchscreen on mine is getting very unresponsive, typing anything is a nightmare but luckily I rarely need to type anything on it… except when it is being recalled !

And here was me thinking that I quite fancied a Shield for a bit of ‘droid gaming. That said, I don’t think NVidia can be held responsible for bad batteries supplied, and they do seem to being professional about it.

crossyAnd here was me thinking that I quite fancied a Shield for a bit of ‘droid gaming. That said, I don’t think NVidia can be held responsible for bad batteries supplied, and they do seem to being professional about it.

it is not professionalism but covering their ass and cut losses as if anyone or any belongings got burned will cause them to pay much more money than recalling these tablets and will damage their reputation in tablets market pretty bad, look at GTX 970 and how they lied to customers, they never compensated nor issues a recall.

YazXit is not professionalism but covering their ass and cut losses as if anyone or any belongings got burned will cause them to pay much more money than recalling these tablets and will damage their reputation in tablets market pretty bad, look at GTX 970 and how they lied to customers, they never compensated nor issues a recall.

What you're saying is pretty self-evident - of course any company is going to move heaven and earth to prevent bad press and litigation. Then again with accursed US “legal system” they must be expecting a flood of ambulance chasers to come looking for a couple of mil in damages.

I'm going to stand by what I said - NVidia found an issue before anyone got injured (as far as I'm aware) and they kicked off a fast replacement process. And according to DemonHighwayman this is also a fairly simple/straightforward process.

Since you seem to have some expertise, what more - other than not use parts that subsequently proved defective - could they have done? The only thing I can think is perhaps offer a Play store credit as compensation. The comments about the GTX970 are irrelevant and not accurate - you don't recall a product that's working “as designed” and hence not defective.

I had similar issues with an iPod a couple of years ago - Apple did a recall and replacement. Note, I got no compensation. And this is from a company that a lot of folks regard as the zenith of customer service.